SIT Study Abroad: Madagascar: Biodiversity & Ntrl. Resource

I participated in the Madagascar Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management program in the spring of 2022. I cannot speak highly enough about the program. My cohort consisted of a small group of 5 students with biological and environmental backgrounds. The experience, from start to finish, was a life-altering one to say the least. The Malagasy advisors and program leads were some of the kindest, most caring, and inspiring people I have ever met in my life. They are not only top-level scientists but also incredibly passionate people who are able to manage the difficulties of supporting a cohort of students in a foreign country. The program strikes a wonderful balance of doing the appropriate amount of hand-holding that is necessary to traverse a foreign environment, while still safely pushing us to navigate on our own. When I entered the program it was the tail-end of Covid restrictions. I had very little outdoor experience, had never been so far away from home and was a lost undergrad student unsure of what to do with her life. The program leads supported and pushed me to pursue things I never would have dreamed were possible, and right into my current career. I fell in love with science and Madagascar, and now 4 years later I am still pursuing my passions in both. I cannot emphasize enough how important this program is. If you have any inkling that this program could be right for you, I heavily encourage you to apply. Madagascar is a spectacular country and through this program you will have the honor of discovering it through some of the most qualified and interesting people possible.

This program was amazing, and gave me the chance to see many facets of science and life in Madagascar. My host family was lovely, and they had a bunch of really interesting lecturers, from professors, to NGO heads, to government officials, who covered topics ranging from environmental law to terrestrial and marine biology. You get to travel with the program to the Eastern humid forest and down South to the coast to see really diverse landscapes and ecology. The Malagasy course and my host family got me speaking enough Malagasy to do an internship after the program. Everyone in the program was wonderful especially the Professors, Ando and Alida, and my fellow students. If you are interested, I can't recommend it enough!

The program staff and directors made this experience truly wonderful, as well as the incredible beauty and welcomeness of Madagascar and its people. This program is best for students interested in getting outdoors, exploring nature, and unafraid of getting their boots muddy. French language skills are also very useful - even if just basic enough to navigate the market. Our Malagasy language classes were a highlight, as well as excursions to various national parks with Ando and Alida! The fresh fruit in the country is fantastic, but don’t try to order a burger (Malagasy food in Madagascar is good, but American food in Madagascar is not as good). Get to know Tana - there’s so many cool places you can walk within the city. And try to get out to Lake Itasy - where there’s beautiful beaches and villas that (with our USD) are reasonably priced. Finally, get to know your host family. They are such an incredible group of people, and I feel like I learned so much from my homestay experience. They were so interested in getting to know me, in helping me to know Madagascar, and in just hanging out or having tea anytime! If this program is right for your academic interests, I highly recommend going to SIT Madagascar! There’s really no opportunity like this to see and experience one of the most biodiverse and beautiful places on earth.